Locking-bracket for curtain and other rods and rails



(No Model.)

0. J. BEG'KMAN. LOCKING BRACKET "FOR CURTAIN AND OTHER RODS AND RAILS.

Patented Oct. 20, 1885.

. (TA/E8858: 4Z

wATTORNEY UNTTED STATES PATENT rrrcn.

CHARLES J. BECKMAN, OF COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent; No. 328,562, dated October 20, 1885.

Serial No. 172,286.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern" Be it known that 1, CHARLES J. BECKMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Council Bluffs, in the county of Pottawattamic and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful In'iprovements in Locking- Brackets for Curtain and other Rods and Rails, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of this invention is to provide a bracket or support for curtain-rods, handrails, guard-rails for plateglass windows, and rails of fences and other structures which involve the arrangement of rails between posts or rods between opposite casings, and which require the firm retention and ready removal of said rods or rails.

I The invention consists in certain features of construction hereinafterspecified, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a window provided with a curtaiurod supported in brackets constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the bracket with a portion of the curtain rod or rail securedtherein. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a bracket, and Fig. 4. a central vertical section of the same with the rail therein; and Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are modifications, hereinafter described.

Like letters indicate like parts in all the figures.

My locking-bracket is formed of two diametrically-separable parts, A A. The formeror, if desired, it may be the latter-is provided with holes A'Zwhereby it is adapted to be attached to the side of a window-casing or post or other flat structure in a permanent manner, while the part A is provided with other holes, A whereby, after the rail is introduced into the bracket, the part A may be placed in position with the part A to form a complete and finished bracket, and serve to maintain the rod securely in position. In Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the bracket is finished 8X- teriorly in the shape of molding to give an attractive, tasteful appearance, said molding constituting in each part a flange, A which encircles the rod B. In some cases, where exceedingly long rods or rails are employed, or where it is desired to prevent rotation of the rod in the bracket, I employ dowel-pins B, which extend from the rod and through apertures 13 formed in the flange of each part of the bracket.

In the modified form ofmy bracket I lengthen the piece or part A and form a slot, A therein,which serves the function of the projection and recess in the base formed by the curved parting-line A in the modification illustrated in Fig. 3-nan1ely,to guide the parts into their final relative position when they are assembled after the introduction of a rod or rail, B, into the flange of the permanentlyattached part A. In the modified form the part A'is pivot-ed by lugs A, (shown by dotted lines, Fig. 5,) extending laterally from said part and having a bearing in recesses formed in rear of the part A. At the opposite end of the part A is the flange A, which is provided with apertures B to receive the dowel-pins of the rod or rail. A slot, 13, is also formed in the end of the part A, to allow the passageof said part over the pin, as hereinafter described. The lower flange, A", is formed on the fixed part, as in the previously-described modification.

In Figs. 5 andfi I have illustrated an opening, A through the fixed part, which opening is partially of circular form, so that a rod or rail, B, of cylindrical form in cross-section, may be made to enter said opening A by cutting away a portion thereof, so as to form a projection or shoulder, A running across the end of the rod or rail and at right angles to the direction of the dowels B therein.

It will be noticed that my bracket is adapted to embrace the extreme ends of a rod or rail, and to be inserted between said ends and the casing of a window or other opening. This feature is present in all the modifications shown, and differs .from constructions which swing right-angularly to the length of the bar to embrace the upper portion of the same near its ends, and which are therefore affixed to the outer faces of the casing, and require rods extending completely across a door or window and in front of the casing thereof.

Devices in the nature of pivoted latches to be turned or allowed to fall upon the shaft of 100 have been provided for fastening the sockets to a support by hidden screws, nor are the parts of the sockets separated on lines which act to guide the one to its final relative position upon the other, and to prevent its lateral displacement therefrom.

Now, it will be seen that when the part'A is raised away from the part A (the former moving upon its pivots A and to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6) the rail B may be entered within the flange A of the fixed part and into the opening A thereof, when the movable part A may be swung downward, the upper dowel, B, passing through the slot B and into the hole B of the flange of said movable part. It will be noticed that when the movable part A is in the position shown in Fig. 5 the rail will be locked against removal longitudinally and also against rotation. If desired, any suitable coiled or other spring may be applied to the fixed part and bear upon the movable part, so as to normally hold the same in its closed position.

I do not limit my invention to locking-brackets adapted to receive rods or rails which are cylindrical in cross-section, as it is apparent that the outlines of the bracket and rail may be of any desired configuration in cross-section, the only requisite being that the bracket and rail shall be adapted to each other in this regard, and it is also apparent that my invention is readily adapted, without material change, to be used as the base or cap piece of Vertical rods or posts, especially in the finer class of hand-rails for stores, ships, and steps or approaches to buildings.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, holes may be formed in the outer portion of the bracket for securing both parts in position; but where feasible I prefer to form the holes A within the flanges of the permanent part, so as to be out of sight when the rail is put in position.

Having described my invention and its operation, whatI claim is- 1. A bracket for curtain and other rods and rails,consisting of two separable parts adapted to join each other upon a curved line passing substantially diametrically therethrough, and each having projecting flanges perforated for the reception of dowels, and each provided with holes for securing the parts in relative position with each other, substantially as specified.

2. Abracket for curtain and other rods and rails, consisting of two separable diametricallyopposite parts, each having a flange provided with openings arranged diametrically opposite each other, in combination with a rail provided with dowel-pins adapted to enter said openings, substantially as specified.

3. A bracket for curtain and other rods and rails,consisting of substantially diametricallyseparable parts, each having a flange for embracing and supporting the rail, and each flange provided with holes for the reception of dowels, and the one part constructed to guide the other when brought into a closed position, substantially as specified.

4:. The combination of a rod or rail, as B, provided with dowels, as B, with a bracket consisting of two substantially diametricallyseparable parts, A A, each having a flange, A perforated to receive said dowels, and one of said parts having a shape or configuration, as shown at A adapted to'guide the other of said parts when the two are brought into position upon the rail, substantially as specified.

5. In a bracket for curtain and other rods and rails, the combination of the fixed part A, having an opening, as A and a diametrically-opposite movable part, as A, with a rail, B, having a shoulder, as A substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES J. BEOKMAN.

Witnesses:

M. H. FERRIs, A. T. FLIOKINGER. 

